A wet and muddy running track was not enough to stop three Kingsville Primary School students from taking part in the 2024 State School Cross Country Championships.
Principal Emma Vasilevski said the school was proud of Hazel, Elli and Elliott, who competed on July 18.
“It is a huge achievement to make it all the way to state competition,“ she said.
Hazel, 12, who has been running for four years, said making the state championships was thrilling.
“Most of the runs were tiring yet satisfying, and although [the] state [race] didn’t show the best of me as a runner, the other races brought me so much joy, and I was proud just to get to state,“ Hazel said.
Elli, 12, who enjoys running outdoors, said she had a fun, challenging and positive experience during the race.
“The mud and conditions of the track were hard; I needed a good start to stay in the race,“ Elli said.
“I wasn’t aiming to win. I set a goal to do better than last year, and I felt good I had achieved something I really wanted to achieve,“ she said.
Elliott, 10, who’s been running consistently for two years, said he was proud to have made it all the way through to the State Championships.
“Unfortunately, I was ill before and during my race; I fought hard all the way but couldn’t produce my best. I had finished first in the school, district and divisional events, and finished top 10 in regionals, but … the speed at which everyone was running was incredible considering the mud and parts of the track completely covered by water,“ Elliott said.
The three students are among the 30 Kingsville Primary School students who attend a weekly running group.
Community running coaches Martine Friend and Narelle McIlroy said the running group provided kids with regular exercise to improve their overall fitness in sports, advance their running skills and help them make new friends.
Anne Parisianne
